My fleet is not based on what I was looking for, but what popped up at a great price/value. I was looking for a lugged steel brifter bike with a triple when the Giant appeared, at a really good price. I was not looking at all when the Colnago Master Lite appeared, but it was January and the seller was in a hurry. I sent them one email asking for better pics, then passed on it. A week later, I got one of those: " Are you interested in it at this price?" emails. Oh yeah!

The Lotus was a $16 thrift store find, and so on. The more flexible you are on brand, the more often you will find a deal. And now is the time to find them, based on the seasonal slow down in bicycle sales.